Definition

A type of coarse plaster made from lime, shells, and pebbles, used to cover the outside of buildings and create a rough surface finish.

Example

The builders applied a roughcast to the exterior walls to protect them from the weather.

Conversation

Have you seen the new house they're building on our street?

Yeah, I noticed they used a lot of roughcast on the exterior.

It looks pretty interesting; I wonder how durable it will be.

I hope it holds up well, especially with all the weather changes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To cover a surface, such as a wall, with a rough layer of plaster or to shape something in a rough way.

Example

The workers will roughcast the exterior walls of the building before painting.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I think we should roughcast the walls before painting them.

That sounds like a good plan; it will give them a nice texture.

Yeah, it will also help hide any imperfections.

Root Explanation

Roughcast → It is formed from "rough" (from Old English "ruh", meaning uneven or coarse) and "cast" (from Old Norse "kasta", meaning to throw). The word "roughcast" refers to a method of applying a rough texture to a surface by throwing or casting material onto it.

Memory Tip

Think of a surface that is 'uneven' ('rough') and has material 'thrown' onto it ('cast') — that's what roughcast means.

Visually Confused Words